Stephen Sheptak, who manages the 90-acre church camp on the Allegheny River, walks past the new St.Thomas Chapel, which was designed to resemble historic 16th century chapels in the Carpathian Mountains of Europe. The building has a heavy timber frame construction using mortise and tenon joints. It also has a symmetrical shape designed to be appreciated from any vantage point, measuring 60 feet high and 70 by 34 feet at the base.

Ever since purchasing their 90-acre camp in 1978, members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. had plans to build a traditional church.

Those plans were realized last week, when St. Thomas Chapel was consecrated.

Resembling historic chapels of the Carpathian Mountains in Europe, the rustic structure is constructed largely of Canadian Douglas fir with yellow pine floors. The rough-sawn hemlock exterior is finished with Pennsylvania crude oil, one of many features that accommodate the ancient practice of building in harmony with the environment.

Also in keeping with Ukrainian mountain style, the chapel's heavy timber frame was constructed without nails.

Instead, mortise and tenon joints allow structural pieces to assemble like a 3D puzzle, with wooden dowels for reinforcement.

According to church literature, existing examples of the architecture date back to the 16th century, but engravings of stone churches from previous centuries reflect the same style.

Another feature, according to the literature, is a symmetrical composition that can be appreciated from any vantage point.The chapel is 60 feet high, with the structure measuring 70 by 34 feet.The traditional domes, found in more common examples of Orthodox architecture, represent God's descending to man, unlike steeples of other denominations that symbolize man's ascent to God.With a focus on compatibility with nature, the chapel contains specially made Swedish doors that open the western wall to the surrounding landscape. That opening can extend the worship area beyond the modest nave, designed to hold about 100 people.Also reflecting rural tradition, the nave is without pews, since churchgoers typically stood through the services.According to Stephen Sheptak, manager of the camp where St. Thomas was built, a single donor was responsible for most of the funds needed for the construction, which cost about $500,000.The chapel's 72 icons, painted by Michael Kapeluck of Carnegie, were funded through subsequent fund drives.Sheptak said concepting for the chapel began in 2003, with a groundbreaking two years later.Richard Forsythe of the 4-Most Group Architects in Butler drew up plans for the church, with Saltbox Millworks of West Virginia constructing the sturdy frame. Much of the other labor was arranged through the church.

Forsythe said the building was designed for energy efficiency, since it will endure periods when minimal heating and cooling is needed. Also considered were esthetics."Probably the ugliest thing inside the building is the exit signs," he said."We tried to hide as many lights as we could," he added."In everyday life, we see those so often they kind of become invisible, except in that case, everything is so nice they just seem out of place."<br></br><br></br><br></br>

Bishops and priests who consecrated the altar at St. Thomas Chapel can be seen through open doors of the iconostasis, or screen that separates the nave and altar. Along the wooden walls, scenes such as The Creation are depicted.

Camp manager Stephen Sheptak stands underneath the dome of the new Carpathian-style St. Thomas Chapel that was consecrated on June 22. The traditional dome structure, found in more common examples of Orthodox architecture, represent God’s descending to man, unlike steeples of other denominations that symbolize man’s ascent to God.